L. Brooks Patterson, driver not belted in car crash

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and his driver, James Cram, were not wearing seat belts at the time of a serious car crash Friday, according to Auburn Hills Police Department’s preliminary findings.

The driver of the Passat, a 31-year old Royal Oak man, was taken to McLaren Oakland with minor injuries, while his passenger, a 51-year old Fraser man, suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

Finding show that Patterson and his driver, James Cram, were not wearing seat belts, according to a statement released by Auburn Hills Police Monday, and the driver of the Volkswagen was not belted.

Patterson, 73, sustained serious, but not life-threatening injuries, and is hospitalized at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. Reports indicate Patterson has two broken wrists, broken ribs, a gash to the head and a broken femur. Patterson had a second surgery to repair orthopedic injuries Monday afternoon. The second surgery was part of the original treatment plan formulated by doctors Friday following the two vehicle accident in Auburn Hills.

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Cram suffered serious injuries, according to Oakland County staff.

It appears the Volkswagen driver failed to yield the right of way, causing the crash, police said.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

“Due to the extent of the injuries to persons involved in the crash, this case will be presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office when the investigation is complete,” police said. “No decision will be made on the issuance of citations until after the case is reviewed by the Prosecutor.”

Oakland County staff geared up to handle Patterson’s workload

Wedged in between staff meetings and telephone calls, Oakland County Chief Deputy Executive Gerald Poisson spent Monday getting a grip on overseeing county business while his boss, L. Brooks Patterson, recuperates in the hospital.

“The Oakland County Executive team — except for one — has been in place for almost a couple decades, and we’ll execute the plan as he laid out,” said Poisson, a former chief assistant prosecuting attorney.

As for events Patterson had on his schedule, Poisson said, “We will give folks an option to have a deputy executive or a director there. For things that are uniquely Brooks, people are going to have to be put off a few weeks.”

“To lose your leader even for a couple days is hard,” said Poisson, who has known Patterson for 30 years. “He’s our friend as well as boss and mentor. He’s hurting. He has some significant bone injuries. Fortunately his internal organs are great, his spine is fine and mind is good and sharp.”

Poisson said Patterson will recover, “but it take some time,” he said.

“There will be a long period for physical rehabilitation. The hard thing to do will be to get him to stay off work for the amount of time the doctors want.

“He has more than a Type A personality, it’s triple A. He’s always going. He’ll want to get back out there as soon as he can.”

Cram, 60, a retired state trooper from Owosso, is hospitalized at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

“Jim has very serious injuries,” said Poisson. “We’re asking that people pray for him.” Poisson did not elaborate on specific injuries.

Staff was kept apprised of the accident aftermath over the weekend.

“The calls were overwhelming,” said Michael Zehnder, director of public services and a member of the executive staff.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s office requests that no more flowers be sent to the hospital. People are asked to donate instead to the Brooksie Way marathon and 5K race named in honor of Patterson’s late son. Visit www.thebrooksieway.com.